Final: E. Longmeadow 16, S. Hadley 0

Congratulations to both East Longmeadow and South Hadley on great seasons.

4th Quarter

0:00 - The Tigers march inside the 10, but on the games final play, Henry Bristol gets hit as he throws and the ball falls incomplete. Its all over, as the Spartans advance to the Division II Super Bowl, to play the winner of Nipmuc-Shepherd Hill.
0:19 - South Hadley showing that they don't surrender, as Bristol completes back-to-back passes to Barry Headlee, marching the Tigers inside the EL 30 yard line. The outcome of this game is no longer in doubt, but the Tigers want to end their season on a positive note, and you've got to respect that.
1:28 - In a move that seems sure to propel the rivalry between these teams, EL and Setian pound the ball into the end zone for a TOUCHDOWN that moves the score to 16-0. Setian was twisting and turning and giving 100% effort on that run. There's a player that never quits.

2:11 - Setian again! A big run up the left sideline to the 11 yard line.

2:39 - Now Setian breaks one loose up the right sideline. Here's a sign of what a smart player he is: he contorts his body while getting tackled to stay inbounds, even though his momentum was carrying him out.

3:46 - EL running back Mat Couceiro blasts through the line for a gain of 28 yards, a run that will probably seal this game for the Spartans.

4:03 - EL lets the punt roll all the way back to their own 30 yard line. They don't care about field position here, only on running out the clock.

4:47 - It's do or die time for South Hadley: 4th and 15 from their own 25 yard line. They line up to punt... ...and they do kick it away. I'm a little surprised. ...but whats this? A roughing the kicker penalty? The refs confer, and rule it "running into the kicker" which is a 5-yard penalty, and not the full 15-yarder. Almost a big break there for the Tigers. So they walk off the yardage and kick again.

5:55 - The Tigers are going in the wrong direction. Penalties back them up all the way until its 1st and 25 from their own 15.

6:39 - On 2nd and 10, Tim Hogan find Chris Setian on the ight sideline, running a short out pattern. Setian breaks a bunch of tackles and forges his way to the end zone. TOUCHDOWN SPARTANS! Unbelievable determination from Setian on that play. As soon has he caught the ball and turned upfield, you could sense that he wasn't going to be brought down. It's 10-0 Spartans, and the Tigers are in trouble now.

7:27 - Setian slams it through for a first down. EL faces 1st and 10 from the SH 19 yard line. Tick, tock, tick, tock.

7:53 - East Longmeadow is facing a 2nd and 2 from the South Hadley 22-yard line. It is absolutely crucial for the Tigers to get a stop here. IF EL gets a touchdown, I don't know if the Tigers will have the time to get 2 scores.
9:09 - Setian pounds it through for the first down. EL driving now in Tiger territory.

9:30 - Chris Setian with a crucial 10-yard run on 2nd and 12, setting up a makable 3rd down for the Spartans.

3rd Quarter

0:40 - Setian with a big 18-yard carry on 3rd down to keep the Spartans on the field. It seems crazy, but with the shortened quarters, ball control is already beginning to come into play.

1:39 - On 4th and long, the Tigers have no choice but to punt. Spartans take over on their own 17.

2:57 - Chris Setian is taking over this game on defense. Back-to-back solo tackles, the first on a bruising hit, and the second a tremendous blitz into the backfield, wrapping the runnign back up for a big loss. What a player.

4:03 - On 3rd and 10, SH QB goes deep to Joe Benoit, who reals in the catch fora gain of 28 yards. Huge play for the Tigers. They now have the ball on the EL 41 yard line.
5:58 - EL's Paul Doalton connects on a 30-yard field goal. Great boot from Dalton, with just enough distance to get over the crossbar. It's 3-0 East Longmeadow.

8:37 - Spartans on the march. A balance of Setian's running and Tim Hogan's passing has them at the 24-yard line and driving. EL's offensive line is getting much more of a push on this drive than what we saw from them in the first half.

9:48 - Big play from a big-time player: Chris Setian returns the opening kickoff to the 50 yard line, a 40-yard return. Good opportunity for the Spartans to open the half.

10:00 - Let's see if either offense is able to get something going here. The Spartans will receive to open the half.

Halftime Score: East Longmeadow 0, South Hadley 0

2nd Quarter
0:34 - More Tigers defense. The Spartans are forced to punt from midfield, unable to move the ball before the half.

1:23 - EL takes over on their own 39 yard line, with a last chance to score before the half.

1:33 - The Spartans defense comes up with another stop. I tell you, the defenses for both teams look great, but the offenses seem a little rusty to my eyes.

3:08 - Joe Benoit with a nice run up the gut for the Tigers, brining the ball to the SH 40 yard line. A situation like this is where the short 10-minute quarters change the game. The Tigers may have to go to their hurry-up offense soon.

4:28 - On 4th and 18, EL goes for the end zone again, but its incomplete. SH takes over on downs.

... Hogan floats a fade to the corner of the end zone. It looks for a second like TJ Adams is going to reel it in, but the pass pulls him too far out of bounds, and he comes up empty handed. Good effort. NOw lets see what EL does with 4th and long from the 19.

6:03 - EL's Paul Dalton runs it in from 10 yards out, but the play is negated by a holding penalty.

7:10 - You can't stop Setian, you can only hope to contain him. He finally breaks loose for a 28 yard scramble, bringing the Spartans to the 22 yard line. Still, nice defensive effort from South Hadley, sticking with the play to not allow him to extend the run into the end zone.

7:56 - We've got a defensive duel here! On 3rd and short, South Hadley passes, but its picked off on a spectacular grab by EL's Kyle Packard. Great play - Packard leapt up in the air and fell backwards while making the interception. EL takes over at midfield.
9:59 - On 4th and long, EL goes to the air, and Tim Hogan appears to have a touchdown completion, but its broken up by a nice play by SH's Nick Mulveyhill. The Tigers take over on their own 25.

1st Quarter

1:15 - The Tigers defense looks eager to show they can contain Chris Setian. On 1st and 10, they wrap him up in the backfield for a 7-yard loss. Impressive push from the Tigers D.

1:39 - EL's defense steps up and gets a stop, forcing South Hadley to punt. After QB Tim Hogan completes a pass down the right sideline, EL has the ball 1st and 10 on the SH 23 yard line.

3:00 - EL goes 3 and out, but gets an outstanding punt that backs the Tigers all the way back to their own 20 yard line.

4:00 -- With South Hadley driving deep into EL territory, Chris Setian delivers a hit that forces a fumble, recovered by the Spartans.
5:00 - Sorry for the delay, football fans. The traffic situation in Westfield can only be described as harrowing. The score is 0-0.